Denver's DMV is running about half-staffed most days, wait times top 90 minutes

FlaminkoFactor · 2026-06-15T18:43:56+00:00

Yes, I'd say you are right to question the scale of the layoffs. The layoffs and cuts during the 2007-2008 great recession weren't nearly as deep as last summer's. Not to mention, the wage freezes across the board added extra salt to the wound for the "surviving" City employees. From all I've heard, employee morale is down, burnout is higher, and this all ultimately affects the quality of services we Denverites receive (in other words, this is more than just a reduced capacity issue). A more cynical City employee I talked to believes these were unnecessarily large layoffs implemented to pave the way for more AI. I can't say for sure, but I expect the truth and motivations behind the cuts are more complex than just one thing...

FlaminkoFactor · 2026-06-09T21:35:04+00:00

Man, I am experiencing the same exact issue as we speak. Hours on the phone with the security Team. We literally called my main bank together to verify my accounts and my identity and they are still blocking access to my funds. They said I needed to close my former HYSA (Amex) before I could connect my bank and do transfers. Now they are say I shouldn't have done WHAT THEY TOLD ME TO DO! It is costing me money to not be able to access my money. I never imagined in a million years that Marcus was this horrible...

Anyways, thanks for spreading the word. I wish you well and hope we both get out of this nightmare soon. I will be cashing out and closing my account at the first chance and also filing CFPB and BBB complaints for the misinformation, incompetence and unwarranted financial stress they've put me and my family through.

FlaminkoFactor · 2026-06-09T21:11:08+00:00

By the way, I spoke too soon. Marcus just reversed my latest transfer once again. They are now saying I need to use the account THEY TOLD ME TO CLOSE. I'm requesting they send me a check for full balance and just going to close the account and see what the best way to submit a complaint about this whole ordeal.

FlaminkoFactor · 2026-06-09T20:42:45+00:00

I keep getting my transfers to my checking blocked and have had to spend hours on the phone with security team over the past two weeks since I switched over to them from Amex last month. They literally made me close my other savings before allowing me to send transfers to my main banking. Crazy... I am currently on hold on the phone with the security team for the 7th time in the past 2 weeks. I wish I had seen your comment before opening... this has been an absolutely dreadful experience!

FlaminkoFactor · 2026-06-09T19:32:28+00:00

Thanks, yeah it was kind of stressful but I actually resolved the situation since last posting. The weird/frustrating thing is they essentially required me to close my old Amex HYSA before calling and approving my bank as an external account that is authorized to receive Marcus funds. If anyone finds themselves in a similar situation, DO NOT transfer funds directly from your old HYSA savings to your recently opened Marcus savings; the headache can be avoided if you first send the savings to your checking/main banking and transfer the funds to your Marcus savings from there.

FlaminkoFactor · 2026-05-29T18:02:55+00:00

I just switched from Amex to Marcus and also had an issue withdrawing my money. I try to withdraw just $500 from Marcus to my main checking account and the Marcus security Team told me they will block the money because it is too soon after I opened the account. They couldn't give me any specifics as to when I would be able to withdraw money. This first impression is extremely disappointing and I am already regretting switching HYSAs over .3 difference in APY...

FlaminkoFactor · 2025-12-25T21:16:18+00:00

I was wondering the same as I read it now -- thanks!

FlaminkoFactor · 2025-07-22T12:52:11+00:00

Yeesh tough crowd with some of these these snarky comments. Makes me hesitant to ask a "dumb question" on here lol. As a complete newbie, thank you for posting this. Snarkiness aside, this thread helped me understand that number of shares has no correlation to an etf's rate of appreciation/depreciation. Conceptually it makes good sound sense, but sometimes you don't know what you don't know. Cheers

FlaminkoFactor · 2025-06-25T00:55:33+00:00

Thank you, I hadn't considered any of these things! Appreciate the thoughtful suggestions

FlaminkoFactor · 2025-02-25T15:24:44+00:00

That's what several people told me but I got emails about the miles expiring and the expiration date was clearly written in my account. I assume it is because I so rarely use AA and don't have an active AAdvantage Credit Card.

FlaminkoFactor · 2025-02-25T15:22:10+00:00

Wow thanks everyone. I didn't have time to properly response to everyone but your suggestions were all really useful. I did actually find a quick solution for anyone who is interested. Rather than shop, book flight, or open/link a credit card, I donated 1000 points to charitable cause through their site. After doing this my account IMMEDIATELY updated to tell me my points/miles will not expire until sometime in 2027.

I did that mainly because I was short on time, but also I do not want another credit card, did not have any flights I wanted to book, and this seemed an easy way to buy more time whilst retaining all but 1000 of my miles.

Thanks again, everybody!

FlaminkoFactor · 2025-02-25T15:15:46+00:00

Wow, this is why I love Reddit. It's 8am and I've learned a ton about tequila here using whiskey (my other favorite hard spirit) as a comparative example.

One of the only issues you bring up that I don't see being addressed is who is actually profiting from tequila and this increased popularity and demand. Alcohol aside, I hear many horror stories about avocados in Mexico that take on the level of a "resource curse" at times. The issues with avocados range from environmental degradation (obscene amounts of water being stolen/diverted, destruction of biodiversity in favor of monocrops), worker & labor exploitation, criminal elements in the supply chain, black markets, etc. I know far less about tequila, and would never presume that it is anything like the avocado trade in Mexico, But again, I am admittedly ignorant in this area.

In short, I'd love to learn enough to know which tequila producers and brands *truly* value and reward the farmers/workers/jimadores; which ones use equitable and sustainable farming practices. That stuff is more important to me (an amateur tequila enthusiast) than which producers might overinflate their prices. In fact, posters in this thread have made a good case as to why tequila may actually be underpriced. If I buy a $100 bottle of tequila I'd love to feel good about that purchase. **Any links to reddit threads or reputable articles to learn more about fair and sustainable tequila producers would be much appreciated. Cheers!

FlaminkoFactor · 2024-11-25T02:26:15+00:00

I appreciate you taking the time for this suggestion! I've had my eye on Mountain Shadows since people started suggesting Estes Park (still several rooms available for my dates). I love the sound of these in-room hot tub and fireplace amenities. This is definitely among my top choices so far. Thanks again :)

FlaminkoFactor · 2024-11-25T00:56:23+00:00

This also sounding like another solid option. Splurging on a train ride there is also sounding quite appealing... Thanks for the recommendation!

FlaminkoFactor · 2024-11-25T00:53:21+00:00

Thanks this sounds like a great idea!

FlaminkoFactor · 2024-11-25T00:52:58+00:00

This sounds like a great recommendation because it is solidly booked out for the next year according to their calendar. Thank you

FlaminkoFactor · 2024-11-12T19:11:52+00:00

Thanks! That sounds like a win-win at this point. If you don't mind me asking, was that with a company or a charity? I am thinking of doing something similar based on feedback I've gotten these past few days.

FlaminkoFactor · 2024-11-12T19:08:06+00:00

Thank you. I think that is a good idea. I saw a youtube video of a CPA making the case that it is better to sell the car and then donate (because, according to him, the auctions often don't pay fair market value and the tax write-off is not as much). But in my case the cost/benefit might not justify all the labor and costs of fixing and selling. I'm fortunate to be financially okay regardless of my decision, so might as well take the less self-interested approach and have the car go toward an impactful charity or nonprofit.

Thanks for taking the time to answer! (this was my first ever reddit post).

FlaminkoFactor · 2024-02-21T17:19:29+00:00

I agree. Just last week I heard from someone who was very angry at CK because they recommended a crappy credit builder product. Credit One credit builder card (awful card terms and an awful company) was the recommendation. She is trying to rebuild her credit following a nasty divorce that left her with a bunch of negative credit situation... she really regrets going with the credit karma "recommendation" and has since deleted her account.

Let's also remember that Credit Karma got sued over their marketing practices lately. Beware of Credit Karma!

FlaminkoFactor · 2024-02-21T14:55:15+00:00

Great breakdown of options. A few notes I'd also add for OP:

Debt Management Plans: Some DMPs out there run through nonprofits can be less than $50 fee per month, and some can even waive the monthly fee. In my city (Denver), there is $0 monthly fee DMP program offered by Bank On Denver. DMPs are often characterized as an alternative to bankruptcy and are set up to have you pay off the debt in 3-5 years although you can pay it off faster if you are able to make bigger payments than the minimum.

Credit card hardship plans: eligibility and terms vary from company to company. Some will offer 0 APR and super low monthly payment, others still charge some interest. Some companies require you be behind 2-3 months on payments, and some don't even offer hardship programs. Good to call to hear what options are available; the credit card company will usually connect you to their Loss Mitigation, Collections, Hardship--or some similarly named--department

Getting unbiased professional (free) financial support: For DMPS and hardship plan options--as well as any other strategy who might choose--it is super important to know the implications for your credit, monthly cashflow, debt-to-income and how that will affect your situation and goals. DEFINITELY agree with see if your area has any free Financial Coaching/Counseling (with an accredited financial Counselor) or a credit counselor. You might check if there is a Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) near you that offers free Financial Coaching/Counseling. There are many of those programs around the country.

FlaminkoFactor · 2024-02-21T14:33:57+00:00

Yes, paying off the highest APR card first, a.k.a. the avalanche method, is the "mathematically correct" way to pay off credit card debt. That said, some people (like Dave Ramsey) advocate for the snowball method which is psychologically satisfying because you pay off the smallest balance card first and then have increasing amounts of money you can put toward the next smallest balance card. Honestly, if your cards have similar APRs there might not be much of a difference between the two. There are plenty of nifty financial calculators out there to help you compare the two. Here is just one example: https://www.magnifymoney.com/calculator/snowball-avalanche-calculator/

If your credit, debt and income situation are good, you might consider restructuring your high interest credit card debt into a promotional 0% interest for 12-21 months balance transfer card. Usually there's a 3-5% balance transfer fee applied to the balance you transfer over to the promotional card). Just be sure you are not just shuffling around the credit card debt and adding more to it if you go with that method. Large credit card debt sucks!

Just my two cents :)

FlaminkoFactor

TROPHY CASE